A storage controller performs: evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group; using the evaluation results among the pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one storage volume in response to receiving an instruction for rearrangement of data in the tiered storage, the instruction including a requirement to be satisfied in selecting a plurality of tiers within a pool group based on access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of the one storage volume, analyzing the pool groups according to the requirement to determine whether any of the pool groups is appropriate to possess the one storage volume for storing the data; and selecting the tiers within the pool group based on the access characteristics.
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1. A storage system comprising: a processor; a memory; a plurality of storage volumes each being associated with one of a plurality of pool groups, each one of the pool groups including some of the plurality of storage volumes each being classified into one of a plurality of tiers within the one pool group; and a storage controller configured to perform automated page-based tier management of storing data in tiered storage using the pool groups, the page-based tier management including selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of one of the plurality of storage volumes; wherein the access characteristics are characteristics of access to the portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule for the page-based tier management in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; wherein the storage controller is configured to use the evaluation results among the plurality of pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; and wherein, in response to receiving an instruction for rearrangement of data in the tiered storage, the instruction including a requirement to be satisfied in selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on the access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes, the storage controller is configured to analyze the plurality of pool groups according to the requirement to determine whether any of the plurality of pool groups is appropriate to possess the one of the plurality of storage volumes for storing the data.
A storage system manages data placement across different storage tiers automatically. The system has multiple storage volumes organized into pool groups, where each pool group contains volumes classified into tiers. A storage controller moves data "pages" (portions of a storage volume) between tiers within a pool group based on how frequently the data is accessed (access characteristics). The controller evaluates each pool group using a predefined rule to get a score. When a request to rearrange data is received, with a requirement specifying which tiers are suitable based on access patterns, the controller checks which pool group best fits the data's needs before allocating storage.
2. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein, if at least one of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to select a pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the selected pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, if one or more pool groups meets the requirements for data rearrangement, the storage controller will choose one that satisfies those requirements and move the data to the selected pool group, following the instructions for rearranging the data.
3. The storage system according to claim 2 , wherein one or more pool groups that satisfy the requirements are displayed to a user before the selection of the pool group.
Using the storage system described in Claim 2, before the storage controller automatically selects a pool group that satisfies the data rearrangement requirements and moves the data, the pool groups that meet the requirements are presented to a user for manual selection. This allows the user to review and approve the target pool group before the data migration occurs.
4. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to select a next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups and perform relocation of the data to the selected next best pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, if none of the pool groups initially meet the data rearrangement requirements, the storage controller will select the next best pool group (the one that comes closest to meeting the requirements) and relocate the data to that pool group, according to the instructions for data rearrangement.
5. The storage system according to claim 4 , wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule for the page-based tier management in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; wherein the storage controller is configured to use the evaluation results among the plurality of pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; and wherein none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, and the storage controller is configured to select the next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups by analyzing relation between the evaluation results of the pool groups and the requirement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 4, the storage controller evaluates each pool group using a preset rule to determine a score, and uses the scores to decide which pool group to use for storing data. When no pool group meets the data rearrangement requirement, the storage controller picks the "next best" pool group by comparing the pool group scores to the stated requirement. This ensures the most suitable alternative is chosen.
6. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to create a new pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the new pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, if no existing pool group can satisfy the data rearrangement requirements, the storage controller creates a new pool group that meets the requirement and then moves the data to this newly created pool group based on the data rearrangement instructions.
7. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to not perform relocation of the data according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, if none of the existing pool groups meet the requirements for data rearrangement, the storage controller simply does not move the data and ignores the data rearrangement instruction.
8. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes are chunks which are allocated in response to a write command received by the storage system.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, the "portions" of the storage volumes that are being managed and moved between tiers are "chunks," which are allocated when the storage system receives a write command. This means the system manages storage at a granular level by tracking and relocating smaller data units as needed.
9. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule for the page-based tier management in order to determine a score for each pool group based on access characteristics according to the preset rule; and wherein the storage controller is configured to use the scores among the plurality of pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, the storage controller evaluates each pool group using a preset rule based on access characteristics, assigning each pool group a score. The controller uses these scores to determine the most suitable pool group for storing data, using access characteristics. The higher the score, the more appropriate the pool group is for the data based on access patterns.
10. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, alternative options of the rearrangement are displayed; and wherein the storage controller accepts selection of one option from the alternative options.
Using the storage system described in Claim 1, when none of the pool groups initially satisfy the requirements for data rearrangement, instead of automatically selecting a "next best" option or creating a new pool group, the system presents a set of alternative rearrangement options to the user. The user then selects one of these options, and the storage controller proceeds accordingly.
11. A storage system comprising: a processor; a memory; a plurality of storage volumes each being associated with one of a plurality of pool groups, each one of the pool groups including some of the plurality of storage volumes each being classified into one of a plurality of tiers within the one pool group; and a storage controller configured to perform automated page-based tier management of storing data in tiered storage using the pool groups, the page-based tier management including selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of one of the plurality of storage volumes; wherein the access characteristics are characteristics of access to the portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups using a preset rule based on the access characteristics for the page-based tier management in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; and wherein, in response to receiving an instruction for rearrangement of data in the tiered storage, the instruction including a requirement to be satisfied in selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on the access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes, the storage controller is configured to analyze the plurality of pool groups according to the requirement and the evaluation results to determine whether any of the plurality of pool groups is appropriate to possess the one of the plurality of storage volumes for storing the data.
A storage system automatically manages data tiering using pool groups. Storage volumes are grouped, and each group has volumes classified into tiers. The controller moves data pages within a pool group based on access frequency. The controller assesses each pool group using a rule based on access patterns to determine a score. When a data rearrangement is requested with specific tier requirements based on data access, the controller analyzes each pool group's suitability based on both the requirements and the pre-computed scores before deciding where to store the data.
12. The storage system according to claim 11 , wherein the preset rule includes one or more conditions based on access characteristics, each condition having points associated with the access characteristics for the condition; and wherein the storage controller is configured to sum the points for the one or more conditions to obtain a score for each pool group and to use the scores among the plurality of pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes.
Using the storage system described in Claim 11, the preset rule used for evaluating pool groups includes conditions based on data access characteristics. Each condition is assigned points, and the controller sums up the points for each pool group, resulting in a score. This score represents how well the pool group matches the data's access patterns, guiding the system to choose the best pool group for storage.
13. The storage system according to claim 11 , wherein, if at least one of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to select a pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the selected pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement; and wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to perform one of (i) selecting a next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups and perform relocation of the data to the selected next best pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement, or (ii) creating a new pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the new pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement, or (iii) not performing relocation of the data according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 11, if any pool group meets the data rearrangement requirements, that group is chosen and the data is moved. If no group meets the requirements, the system has three options: 1) pick the "next best" pool group and move the data, 2) create a new pool group meeting the requirements and move the data, or 3) do not move the data at all.
14. The storage system according to claim 13 , wherein none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, and the storage controller is configured to select the next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups by analyzing relation between the evaluation results of the pool groups and the requirement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 13, when no existing pool groups fully satisfy the requirements, the storage controller selects the "next best" pool group by considering the relationship between the pool groups' scores and the specified data rearrangement requirements. This involves analyzing how closely each pool group's characteristics align with the desired criteria.
15. The storage system according to claim 13 , wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, alternative options of the rearrangement are displayed; and wherein the storage controller accepts selection of one option from the alternative options.
Using the storage system described in Claim 13, if none of the pool groups satisfies the data rearrangement requirements, the system displays alternative arrangement choices to the user. The storage controller then executes the option chosen by the user.
16. A storage system comprising: a processor; a memory; a plurality of storage volumes each being associated with one of a plurality of pool groups, each one of the pool groups including some of the plurality of storage volumes each being classified into one of a plurality of tiers within the one pool group; and a storage controller configured to perform automated page-based tier management of storing data in tiered storage using the pool groups, the page-based tier management including selecting the plurality of tiers within a pool group based on the access characteristics for performing allocation against portions of one of the plurality of storage volumes in accordance to a requirement to be satisfied for rearrangement of data in the tiered storage; wherein the access characteristics are characteristics of access to the portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; and wherein the storage controller is configured to analyze the plurality of pool groups according to the requirement to determine whether any of the plurality of pool groups is appropriate to possess the one of the plurality of storage volumes for storing the data.
A storage system manages data across tiers automatically using pool groups. Storage volumes are organized into groups, with each group having volumes assigned to different tiers. Based on how often data pages are accessed, a storage controller will move data within a pool group to comply with the requirement for data rearrangement. The controller analyzes the suitability of each pool group according to the data rearrangement requirement.
17. The storage system according to claim 16 , wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule for the page-based tier management in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; wherein the storage controller is configured to use the evaluation results among the plurality of pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one of the plurality of storage volumes; and wherein the storage controller is configured to analyze the plurality of pool groups according to the requirement and the evaluation results to determine whether any of the plurality of pool groups is appropriate to possess the one of the plurality of storage volumes for storing the data.
Using the storage system described in Claim 16, a storage controller evaluates the pool groups using a preset rule to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; the controller uses the evaluation results among the pool groups to determine which pool group is to be selected for performing allocation against portions of the one storage volume. The controller analyzes the pool groups according to the requirement and the evaluation results to determine whether any of the pool groups is appropriate to possess the one storage volume.
18. The storage system according to claim 17 , wherein the preset rule includes one or more conditions based on access characteristics, each condition having points associated with the access characteristics for the condition; and wherein the storage controller is configured to sum the points for the one or more conditions to obtain a score for each pool group; and wherein the storage controller is configured to analyze the plurality of pool groups according to the requirement and the scores to determine whether any of the plurality of pool groups is appropriate to possess the one of the plurality of storage volumes for storing the data.
Using the storage system described in Claim 17, the preset rule incorporates conditions based on data access patterns, and each condition has associated points. The storage controller sums these points to get a score for each pool group, reflecting its suitability for the data. The controller analyzes the pool groups based on both the specified requirement and the calculated scores to determine the most appropriate pool group for the data's storage.
19. The storage system according to claim 16 , wherein, if at least one of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to select a pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the selected pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement. wherein, if none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, the storage controller is configured to perform one of (i) selecting a next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups and perform relocation of the data to the selected next best pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement, or (ii) creating a new pool group that satisfies the requirement and perform relocation of the data to the new pool group according to the instruction for rearrangement, or (iii) not performing relocation of the data according to the instruction for rearrangement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 16, if any pool group satisfies the requirements, it's selected, and the data is moved. If none satisfy the requirement, the system can: (1) choose the "next best" pool group and move data, (2) create a new pool group that meets requirements, or (3) not move the data at all.
20. The storage system according to claim 19 , wherein the page-based tier management performed by the storage controller includes evaluating the pool groups based on a preset rule for the page-based tier management in order to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule; and wherein none of the pool groups satisfies the requirement, and the storage controller is configured to select the next best pool group from the plurality of pool groups by analyzing relation between the evaluation results of the pool groups and the requirement.
Using the storage system described in Claim 19, the storage controller evaluates the pool groups using a preset rule to determine an evaluation result for each pool group based on the preset rule. When no pool group fulfills the stated requirement, the storage controller selects the "next best" pool group by comparing each pool group's evaluation result with the data rearrangement requirement.
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June 7, 2010
June 11, 2013
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